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The Chargers announced Friday that John Pagano will remain defensive coordinator under new coach Mike McCoy.

The move comes as no surprise. In his first year as defensive coordinator, Pagano's unit allowed nearly two points less per game than it did in 2011 and went from the 22nd-ranked defense to 16th in 2012. Pagano's defense also did a much better job rushing the passer and limited the big plays that were prevalent under former coordinator Greg Manusky the year before. Fri, Jan 18, 2013 04:50:00 PM

Pagano is under contract for one more year after improving the Bolts' defense from 22nd in 2011 to 16th in 2012. Pagano's unit surrendered fewer big plays, created more turnovers, and rushed the passer more consistently than Greg Manusky's defense the year before. Tue, Jan 15, 2013 03:04:00 PM

The Eagles will also interview the man described by Seattle coach Pete Carroll as a "brilliant football mind." Bradley joins Lovie Smith, Ken Whisenhunt, and Bruce Arians as candidates on the interview list. The Chargers are reportedly interested in 49ers OC Greg Roman and Bengals DC Mike Zimmer as well, though no interviews have been scheduled. Fri, Jan 11, 2013 12:28:00 PM

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Pagano is under contract for one more year after improving the Bolts' defense from 22nd in 2011 to 16th in 2012. Pagano's unit surrendered fewer big plays, created more turnovers, and rushed the passer more consistently than Greg Manusky's defense the year before.

The Eagles will also interview the man described by Seattle coach Pete Carroll as a "brilliant football mind." Bradley joins Lovie Smith, Ken Whisenhunt, and Bruce Arians as candidates on the interview list. The Chargers are reportedly interested in 49ers OC Greg Roman and Bengals DC Mike Zimmer as well, though no interviews have been scheduled.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the Bolts' interest in Smith a week ago. The Chargers are also expected to interview Colts OC Bruce Arians and Bengals DC Mike Zimmer, with 49ers OC Greg Roman possibly in the mix after Saturday's game. Smith is also interviewing for the Eagles' head-coaching vacancy.

According to the Union-Tribune, the Chargers have expressed interest in Bengals DC Mike Zimmer for their head coaching vacancy.

No interview has been scheduled "yet," but things are starting to snowball for Zimmer. Shut out of the first wave of interest, he's now getting play from both the Chargers and Browns. San Diego is expected to announce their new general manager at some point Wednesday.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Chargers head coaching candidate Jim Mora is "likely" to remain at UCLA.

The Chargers have "contacted" Mora, but it sounds like former Falcons and Seahawks head coach is just gaining financial leverage out of the deal. The Times says UCLA will boost the pay of his assistants and improve the team's facilities. Mora signed a five-year, $11.235 million contract with the Bruins when he took over the program before this season.

Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune San Diego says that it "seems like it's down to" Jimmy Raye III and Tom Telesco for the Chargers' general manager job.

Acee adds that Cardinals VP of player personnel Steve Keim could get into the mix and is scheduled to interview on Saturday. Keim is a friend of Chargers director of college scouting John Spanos. Spanos is part of the GM search team in San Diego. Raye is the team's in-house candidate as the director of player personnel. Telesco is Indianapolis' VP of football operations. Telesco could bring along Colts OC Bruce Arians to be the head coach of the Bolts.

The Union-Tribune San Diego is hearing that the Chargers have interest in UCLA coach Jim Mora for their head-coaching vacancy.

Per the U-T San Diego's Kevin Acee, Mora would keep John Pagano as defensive coordinator and hire Noel Mazzone to run the Chargers' offense. Mazzone was Philip Rivers' offensive coordinator at NC State. Mora, 51, coached the Bruins in 2012 to a 9-5 record. Mora has all along wanted to return to the NFL and now appears to have emerged as a serious candidate for the Chargers. San Diego still needs to hire a general manager, though.

Chargers interviewed director of player personnel Jimmy Raye III for the team's vacant GM position on Tuesday.

Raye is the only in-house candidate that is known to be considered for the job. He has been with the franchise since 1996 and has gradually climbed the ladder from scout all the way up to his current position. The other known candidates for the gig are 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble, Falcons director of player personnel David Caldwell, Colts VP of football operations Tom Telesco, and Cardinals VP of player personnel Steve Keim.

In addition to Cardinals VP of player personnel Steve Keim, the Chargers will reportedly interview 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble and Falcons director of player personnel David Caldwell for their vacant GM position.

According to CBS Sports, the Colts have also granted the Bolts permission to interview VP of football operations Tom Telesco. As expected, Bolts player personnel director Jimmy Raye III will get an interview as an in-house candidate. Widely respected around the league, Gamble and Caldwell are vying for the same position with the Jaguars and Jets as well. It comes as no surprise that former longtime GM Ron Wolf has put together an impressive list while spearheading the Chargers' search.

The Chargers will reportedly interview Cardinals VP of player personnel Steve Keim for their vacant GM position this week.

Shame on the Cardinals if they let Keim get away. A former on-the-road scout, Keim is viewed as a big personality with an impressive resume as a talent evaluator. Current director of player personnel in San Diego, Jimmy Raye III, is also viewed as a top candidate for the Chargers GM job. The Bolts were denied permission to interview Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell for the position -- reportedly at Russell's own request.

The Chargers have hired former longtime GM Ron Wolf to assist with their general manager search.

The former Raiders and Packers GM will work as a consultant as San Diego attempts to replace A.J. Smith. Unlike the Browns, the Bolts will likely hire a GM before tabbing a head coach, which probably takes them out of the running for someone like Chip Kelly. ESPN's Jon Gruden is still in play with San Diego.

Pagano will be Norv Turner's fourth defensive coordinator in six years. He's been with the Chargers for 10 years, including the last six as LBs coach. Pagano has a strong resume, helping to develop Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, Donald Butler, and even special teamer turned pass rusher Antwan Barnes. Pagano is not expected to make drastic scheme alterations.

Per the San Diego Union-Tribune, the "early favorite" to replace Greg Manusky as defensive coordinator is Chargers LBs coach John Pagano.

Pagano was rumored to be on UCLA's radar in the Bruins' defensive coordinator search. Pagano's older brother, Chuck, is the defensive coordinator of the Ravens. John has spent the past decade on the Chargers' coaching staff.

He lasted one year after coming over from San Francisco. Firing Manusky may have been among the terms set forth by owner Dean Spanos when he retained GM A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner. While Manusky's defense finished 16th in the NFL rankings and a respectable-looking 13th versus the pass, it got pushed around all year up front and collapsed badly down the stretch. In the second half of the season, the Chargers' offense played from behind early and often. Manusky should still land on his feet, possibly as a linebackers coach. He was among the finalists for the Panthers' head-coaching job in 2011.

Depth Charts

Gordon is reportedly dealing with a "minor" bone bruise in the same knee which required microfracture surgery after his rookie year. That is at least slightly concerning, but neither the player nor his coach appears to be worried. "He’s sore," Anthony Lynn said. "He was sore last week. We’ll monitor him this week, but I’m sure he’ll be fine." As long as he is active, Gordon will be a locked-in RB1 against the Eagles.

Dontrelle Inman (groin) is questionable for Week 2 against the Dolphins.

Inman is set to make his season debut on Sunday after putting in a full week of practice. In a crowded receiving corps featuring Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin, it's doubtful Inman will draw enough targets to warrant fantasy consideration.

Williams is close to returning after a full week of limited practice, He’s running routes at full speed, but still needs to get cleared for team drills. Barring any setbacks, Williams looks in line for an early October return.

Chargers RT Joe Barksdale exited Week 2 against the Dolphins with a left foot injury.

Barksdale was bull-rushed over by Cameron Wake in the fourth quarter and was injured on the play. He was trying to come back in but stood up from the bench and threw his helmet on the ground before heading to the locker room. Veteran Chris Hairston has replaced Barksdale at right tackle.

Hairston tweeted the other day that the "doctor said I had blood clots," so we're assuming that's the issue here. Hairston filled in at right tackle in place of an injured Joe Barksdale in Week 2. L.A.'s line is in rough shape.